Are you planning to travel from India to Nepal? Taking the road route through India is possible, but you need to know the disadvantages and challenges before starting on this journey. Here is our guide Travel to Nepal from India by Road.
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How to travel to Nepal from India by road?
India and Nepal have six border crossings and these two neighbouring countries have a great relationship in terms of travelling. Indians don’t need visas to travel to Nepal and if you are going through the land route you may need an identity card issued by the government. Almost 17% to 20% of foreign travellers to Nepal are Indians.
As an Indian, you can stay indefinitely once you register yourself in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu after 6 months of your residence. The relationship between India and Nepal has made travel to Nepal from India by road as easy as crossing borders inter-state.
Documents required to travel to Nepal from India
Before Covid, the Sunauli or border between India and Nepal has never been closed as the countries are maintaining an open border system. As per the treaty of 1950, the treaty of Peace national treatment is given to the citizens of both countries.
Most Indian vehicles and citizens and residents near the border didn’t even need legal documents to cross the border. But as per the rule, these are the documents you must carry to travel to Nepal from India
Indian Citizens must carry a valid photo ID issued by the government
Foreigners travelling to Nepal through India should carry a valid passport
Post-Covid the rules have changed as it is mandated to produce a valid COVID negative report like RT-PCR, True NAAT, WHO accredited test that has been taken within 72 hours of crossing the border.
Options for travel to Nepal from India by road
The best way to travel to Nepal from India by road is either by bus or private car. There is also a third option to travel to Nepal from India by road is a train.
If you want to choose public transport there are direct buses from Delhi to Kathmandu for travel to Nepal from India by road. Though Getting private cars or owned cars is the most popular practice by Indians travelling to Nepal.
Tips to remember for travel to Nepal from India by Road for Indians
At the border crossing make sure to collect the permit while paying for the toll.
Provide a Covid negative report by RT-PCR or other reputed institution taken within 72 hours within crossing the border.
Where can you cross to travel to Nepal from India by Road?
Banbasa Border: Banbasa border is in the state of Uttarakhand in North India. The Banbasa border can be accessed by Indians and Nepalese unrestricted. These are the best routes for Delhites, or anyone from the North-western states like Haryana, Punjab or any of the international travellers arriving in Delhi.
It takes approximately 6 to 7 hours from Delhi to reach by private car and the picturesque serene view of the border with mountain ranges in the backdrop and the dam while crossing the bridge is extremely heartwarming.
Birgunj-Raxaul Border: The Birgunj-Raxaul border is the most accessible option for those who are travelling from Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha. The Raxaul border crossing in the state of Bihar leads you to the central part of Nepal, Birganj. Birganj is 8 hours from Kathmandu and 6 hours from Pokhara. To reach Kathmandu or Pokhara you will easily get buses or shared jeeps for $4 to $5 that is around 450 INR to 550 INR.
Panitanki border: Panitanki border is in the Siliguri district, West Bengal and from the Siliguri Bus terminal you will find buses, shared jeeps or renting cars. Buses are available from Jalpaiguri, Sikkim and Kalimpong as well. The Panitanki Kakarbhitta border is open from 6 Am to 7 Pm from the Nepal side. From New Jalpaiguri, the Panitanki Kakarbhitta border is only a 45-minute drive.
There are two other borders that are mostly used by large vehicles and very rarely by travellers Jamunaha-Nepalgunj border and gauripantha-Dhangadhi. The Nepalgunj border is yet to open as per the latest news due to COVID.
How to collect permits for vehicles for travel from India to Nepal?
Because of the easy access through the road, Indian travellers get a lot of duration for access to the vehicle management and stay period in Nepal. Indians can acclaim a Nepalese number plate while crossing the border and the duration to keep the vehicle is generally 30 days.
If you are considering taking a vehicle for travel to Nepal from India by road these are what you need to know according to the Embassy of India:
Any Indian vehicle including two-wheelers can temporarily obtain a stay duration in Nepal with custom payment in border crossing.
Even with payment, any Indian registered vehicle is allowed to stay in Nepal only 30 days in a whole year.
You can obtain a day pass at the customs near the Indo-Nepal border and the day pass is only valid for 24 hours. The vehicle must return within one day and if you want to extend the pass you must visit the customs before the validity ends.You can also obtain a pass for a specific number of days with a fixed payment for each day. You must collect and keep the pass with you all the time as it may be demanded by government authorities or police. Here is the details what to do and what not
Covid- Regulation to maintain in Nepal tourism
For Indian travellers for travelling to Nepal from India by road is not restricted if the individuals are vaccinated or not at the local level. Nepal has opened most of its borders since October for Indian travellers and this is the covid restrictions according to news:
Vaccination requirements:
Negative PCR is required if you are travelling to Nepal by air. But Nepal tourism is open for both vaccinated and non-vaccinated travellers.
For Indian travellers, a negative test report was taken within 72 hours before crossing.
Lockdown In effect: As far as local travel is concerned Nepal is partially locked down which is not going to restrict most of the activities for Indian travellers.
All the transport is also operational with restrictions. For Indians crossing the Indo-Nepal border is quite easy and after resuming the opening of borders many locals have resumed business and work and travellers are also able to travel to Nepal as Nepal is one of the most visited neighbouring countries by India.
Check out the places you must visit in India in winter amongst the Covid regulations
FAQ:
1. Which countries are allowed to travel to Nepal?
Nepal is allowing travellers from most countries except 8 South African countries i.e. Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Malawi and Hongkong. Nepal has banned travellers from arriving from or through these countries.
2. Can foreigners travel to Nepal from India by road?
Foreigners except from 8 SAR countries and Hongkong can travel to Nepal from India by road with the right documents, passport and visa. Only Indians are allowed to travel to Nepal without a visa.
3. Do Indians need Visa to travel to Nepal from India by road?
Indians do not need visas to cross the Nepal border but they do need a negative Covid report for entry to Nepal.
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